Fastening device



May 12, 1936. I 5, BEEGLE 2,040,510

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Nov. 24, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 12, 1936. v R. E. BEEGLE 2,040,510

FASTENING DEVICE Filed Nov. 24, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR.

Patented May 12, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in fastening devices, and more particularly to devices of the class generally known as tag fasteners, utilized in large quantities for the securement of shipping tags and the like, to jute and other fabric bags, packages and containers.

Of the vast number of wire fasteners heretofore offered to the trade, a number of which have been covered by Letters Patent, none thereof is either susceptible of positive and complete engagement with the article to be tagged, or susceptible of easy manual removal, solely by simple, natural movements of the hand of the user. Those devices which have hereto-fore been made in particular forms so as to facilitate their application to or removal from a fabric packing material, are subject to either or both of the objections that the tag and fastener may laterally become disengaged by casual snagging or other unintentional tensioning of the tag or fastener, or that one or more piercing points of the fastener are left in exposed position so as to offer the hazard of injury to persons handling the tagged packages, bales or bags.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to create a wire tag fastener of simple one-piece construction which may be applied to and removed from the fabric packing material by simple, direct manual movements, and which when applied, is characterized by certainty of concealment of its pointed portions, so as to obviate-the hazards of personal injury, and which, at the same time, is certain of resisting sidewise and endwise pulls tending to tear the tag and fastener from the bag or like article.

Yet another object of the invention is attained in the creation of a tag fastener, such that the element may be inserted and caused positively to hook the material engaged thereby, by a simple straight line motion toward the surface of the fabric of the tagged container.

Yet another object of the invention is attained in an improved one-piece tag fastener formed preferably of wire, and which, although practically proof against casual disengagement, may be easily manually removed from the engaged fabric, by a slight rotary motion of the device which automatically clears the fastener from the threads and folds of the fabric. a

A still further object of the invention is attained in a device of the class referred to, which is so designed as always to present an easilygrasped portion when reposing on a plane surface; one which, if casually dropped or otherwise permitted to assume a normal position of repose, presents a projecting handle portion, thus facilitating an easy grasp of the unit for application to a bag or bale, as well as in the insertion of the unit through the eye of a shipping tag; the device being, by virtue of the same advantageous features, markedly resistant to snarling or tangling when boxed in quantity.

The foregoing and many other objects will more fully appear from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs 1 and 2 are, respectively, a plan View and side elevation of a wire tag fastener of preferred construction; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the fastener of Fig. 2 in a position of starting its application to a tag; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the element of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 showing the tag attached thereto, and showing the fastener in a position in which its piercing point is about to enter the fabric; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the fastener of the preceding figures, showing the element just short of its final position, in the course of being inserted in the fabric; Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the element in a position and relation to the fabric corresponding to that shown by Fig. 5; Figs. '7 and 8 are sectional and plan views respectively of a piece of fabric in which the fastening element of the preceding figures is completely engaged; Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the fastener after interlocking engagement with the fabric, and in the same relation thereto as shown by Figs. 7 and 8; Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate the fastener of the preceding figures in side and end elevations respectively,

as it would appear following the first operation attending its removal from the fabric engaged thereby; Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are top or plan, side and end elevations respectively of a. slightly modified form of tag fastener made in accordance with the present invention; Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are plan, side and end views respectively of a further slightly modified form of wire tag fastener, and Figs 18, 19 and 20 are plan, side and end views respectively of yet other modifications of the tag fastener of my invention.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, it will be observed that Figs. 1 through 11 cover a device formed of a single piece of wire, preferably of spring or tempered steel. The gauge of the material will be dictated to a certain extent by the usage to which it is to be subject, but for the usual domestic shipping purposes, as for anchoring a tag to a bag or bale, a tempered steel wire, preferably coppered, and

say of 20 gauge, is preferred. This preference as to material applies also to the several modified forms of the device hereinafter described.

As preferably formed up and as viewed in plan, the fastener comprises an elongate body element 20 constituting a shank. As continued toward the piercing or fabric entering end of the device, the shank 20 is slightly offset near its outer end to constitute a piercing arm 2|, terminating in a piercing point 22. In the structure of Figs. 1 and 2, by far the greater part of the shank 20, constituting a central or body portion, lies in a straight line, which, for purposes of later descrip tion, may be considered as a longitudinal axis of the unit lying in the plane of the body or plane of reference with respect to which other bent portions of the structure may be described as to trend and angularity. The piercing arm 2|, for example, is turned downwardly somewhat, as will appear from Fig. 2, and as viewed in plan in Fig. 1; this arm is of a trend slightly outwardly of the shank or body portion 20. Further, as viewed in plan, the shank 29 is provided with an angulate offset 23 continuing into a loop, bight or like portion 24, constituting a gripping handle for application and removal of the fastener, as will later appear. The handle-forming bight 24 is at one outer extremity of the unit, and by way of further defining the plane of the body, it is considered that the bight or handle lies substantially in a plane transverse to the axial or body plane, but intersects the latter at preferably an acute angle, say 45 degrees. The wire continues on the opposite side of the bight to an offset 25, thence into a companion body piece 26 which is however, by preference, in non-parallel relation to the shank 25, being arched on a substantial radius, as best'shown by Fig. 2, et seq. The arched portion is of a trend downwardly of and through the plane defined by the shank 20, on the underside of which the part 26 terminates in an angulate fulcrum-forming projection 21. Beyond the fulcrumZ'l, the wire is continued upwardly and outwardly of the plane of the body to form an inclined arch 28. The arch-forming portion 28 is, like the handle portion, in a plane transverse to the axial or body plane of the piece, but lies at an acute angle thereto, say of 45 degrees. This arch is angulately presented toward the fabric-engaging end of the device, so as to form between the arch 28 and piercing arm 2|, a fabric-receiving and directing mouth 23. The arch portion 28 is saddled over the piercing arm, and terminates in a free, pointed end 30, for apurpose hereinafter appearing. In the device of Figs. 1, 2 andfollowing, the handle formed by the bight 24 is upturned from the plane defined by the shank 20, at an angle say of 45 degrees, which has been found by repeated trials, to enable the fastener, when its handle is grasped between the thumb. and the first finger of the user, to be presented in the most natural manner, toward the fabric with which it is to be engaged.

In applying the device of Figs. 1 and 2, in service, a tag such as' 3| is readily inserted over the piercing point 2| and between the shank 20 and. the arch 28, a preferred manner of application of the fastener to a tag such as 3|, being shown by Fig. 3. Following the connection of the fastener to the tag, the handle 24 is grasped as described, and moved in a straight line toward the fabric, first in a manner suggested by Fig. 4, to bring the piercing point through the fabric.

The first movement of application exemplified by Fig. 4 is followed by a continued movement in the same direction, serving to bring the shank 20, substantially over its length,,to the inside or concealed surface of the fabric 32, which may, for illustration, be considered as a portion of a jute bag or bale. As viewed from above the fabric, the fastener will now present a relation to the fabric as shown by Fig. 6, from which it will be seen that the arch 28 and point 30 still lie outside of the fabric, but that the piercing point, piercing arm and shank 20 are substantially concealed thereby.

A continuation of the forward or penetrating movement of the fastener results in bringing the shank portion 20 farther into and through the fabric, the fulcrum portion nearest the handle or bight so engaging the fabric that it automatically sets up a turning moment, in a direction which causes the greater part of the arch 28 and point 30 to become embedded in the fabric as exemplified by Fig. 7. In this relation the device will assume the appearance, from above, shown by Fig. 8, and when the device is viewed from one end and the fabric in section, will appear as shown by Fig. 9. It will be observed that in this relation all pointed or apex portions of the device are completely concealed; further, that in the event of any external tensioning of the device as by snagging, there is no tendency to withdraw the fastener, the great amount of fabric held between the arms 23 and 26 of the closed loop of the device, positively preventing any casual outward withdrawal or disengagement.

Although the device is thus practically proof against unintended disengagement, it may be easily and simply removed from the fabric by an easy natural manual motion, consisting first, upon grasping the handle or bight portion such as 24,

in rotating the fastener about an axis which may i be considered coincident with or parallel to the shank 20. This rotation first serves to bring the angulate portion 21, considered as a fulcrum, to

bear upon the outer surface of the fabric. Further rotation in a clockwise direction as viewed by the operator grasping the handled end, will serve to bring the device from the position of Fig. 10. gagement of the fulcrum 21, serves to lift the hook end 30 out of the fabric. .It will clearly appear from Fig. 10 that once this is done, a simple straight-line rearward motion of the device, as to the right in Fig. 10, enables the fastener fully to clear the fabric originally confined between the arms 20 and 26. During this movement the bearing of the fulcrum 2! upon the outer surface of the cloth or fabric maintains the hook clear of snagging relation with the threads previously included in the loop of the device. The appearance of the fastener and fabric at this stage, when the former is viewed looking toward its piercing end, and the fabric in section, is shown by Fig; 11.

A slightly modified form of the fastener is illustrated by Figs. 12, 13 and 14. This structure includes a shank 35, which may be said to define the plane of the body of the device and corresponds closely or identically to the element 20 of Fig. 1. Shank .35 is continued toward the piercing end of the fastened into a slightly offset piercing arm 36, terminating in a piercing point 31. In the opposite direction, the shank 35 is characterized by an angulate bend 38, whence the material is extended into a bight or loop of arched form indicated at 39, and like the portion 24, forms a handle for insertion and withdrawal of This rotary movement, through the en-' the fastener. This handle maybe slightly curved as shown by Fig. 13, and on the opposite side of the loop 39, continued along this radius of curvature through an opposite leg 40, which is arched or bowed (Fig. 13), to constitute a fulcrum portion serving a purpose corresponding to the fulcrum 21 (Fig. 2), in the insertion and withdrawal of the device. The bowed arm 40 is of a trend first to the under side, thence to the upper side of the plane of the shank 35, and terminates in an arched portion or loop 4|, a reversely curved holding arm 42 and a retaining point 43. As in each of the other structures heretofore disclosed, the piercing arm 36 extends through the arch 4|, and the angularity of the parts 36 and 4| is such as to provide a fabric-receiving and directing mouth 44.

The manner of insertion and removal of the device formed according to Figs. 12-14, is the same as illustrated and described in reference to the device of Figs. 1 through 11. It will likewise appear that, with advantages noted, the handle portion 39 is presented at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane of the shank 35, to facilitate insertion of the point 31 and shank 35, into and through the fabric. In this connection it may be noted that, for example, in tightly filled bales or sacks, parts of the fabric are often under substantial tension, and that the present devices through the angularity of the handle and piercing portions, prevent much of the former difliculty of insertion or application incident to the fact that the finger of the operator must first be brought below the normal plane of the fabric to insert the piercing point of. the fastener. It will appear obvious, as from Fig. 5, that the application of the present fastener requires no deformation or disturbance of the fabric or the contents of the fabric container, incident to the application of the fastener.

The foregoing description of major features of structure, also the application and removal of the fastener, applies equally to the device, modified .in minor respects over those of the preceding figures, and illustrated by Figs. 15, 16 and 17, wherein a shank portion 45 is produced toward the piercing end of the device to constitute a piercing arm 46 at a slight angle to the shank, and a piercing point 41. In this modification the shank 45 is produced in the opposite direction or toward the handle portion of the unit, into an angulate fulcrum 48 keeping the handle at an angle, say of 30 to 45 degrees to the plane of the shank 45 and constituting a hight, loop or handle portion 49. The opposite side of this loop continues through a rectilinear section 50, passing below the plane of shank 45 to form an angulate fulcrum portion 5|, thence upwardly through the plane of shank 45 into an arched retaining part 52. The shank 45 as before, extends through the arch 52, and the latter is bent reversely, downwardly and rearwardly to form a retaining arm 53 and retaining point 54.

The manner of application and removal of the fastener of Figs. 15 through 17, is substantially the same as in the case of the preceding structures, it being noted that the fulcrum 48 serves to keep the handle portion outwardly of the fabric during application, and the fulcrum 5| serves to bear against the fabric to enable its rocking movement for withdrawal of the point 54 from the fabric.

Substantially the same arrangement prevails in respect to a further modified structure appearing in Figs. 18, 19 and 20,wherein a shank portion 55, which may be identical with those of preceding figures, is produced toward the piercing end to form an angulate arm 56 and piercing point 51. Proceeding in the opposite direction, the arm is terminated by an angulate fulcrum 58, the bend of which results in a loop or bight constituting a handle 59. angulately connected through its opposite leg to a companion fulcrum portion 60, thence into a rectilinear leg 6|, passing below the plane of the shank 55 and upturned, as at 62, to form a second fulcrum. Beyond the fulcrum 62 the stock recrosses the plane of the shank 55 to form an arch 63 which, in turn, is reversely bent into the retaining arm 64, terminating in point 65.

The manner of application and removal of this form of device is likewise substantially identical with the procedure employed with the devices earlier described.

It will have appeared that each of the several forms described is of channelled conformity, as viewed transversely of the fastener; further that each thereof consists of an elongate loop formed of a single piece of material, with a minimum of acute or difficult bends liable to result in fracture of a tempered material such as spring wire; further, that the device is simple and easy of production in quantity, offers a number of advantages in ease of application and facility for removal, and in all other respects, fully attains each of the several objects heretofore expressed and implied.

While the invention has been described by making specific reference to a few presently preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the principles thereof are not restricted to the several forms shown, since many minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and full intended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A fastening device of bifurcate construction and consisting of a single length of wire shaped into an elongate loop, one of the legs of which constitutes a substantially rectilinear body element or shank, a piercing arm provided with a piercing point and projecting at one end of the device, the shank being angulately bent upwardly from the plane of the body portion to the bight of the loop to form a gripping portion disposed substantially in a plane transverse to the legs of the device, the opposite leg being angulately connected to the gripping portion but bowed upwardly of the plane of the shank, thence downwardly to a point below the shank, to constitute an angulate fulcrum near the piercing end of the fastener, the last said leg being thence bent upwardly and into a plane guard portion trans- Versely overlying the piercing arm at an acute angle, and terminating in a rearwardly presented, pointed end.

2. A fastening device formed of a single length of wire bent to form an elongate looped structure of bifurcate construction, one of the legs of which constitutes a substantially rectilinear body element, extended to form a piercing arm and a piercing point projecting at one end of the device, the body element being angulately bent upwardly from its plane to the bight of the loop,

to form a gripping portion for application of the fastener, the gripping portion being disposed substantially in a plane transverse to the body element, the opposite leg being curved on a substantial radius, from the bight of the loop, to a point substantially below the body element, to form a fulcrum, continuing its trend of curvature from such fulcrum to the upper side of the body element, and then over the piercing arm to form a U shaped guard portion lying in a plane substantially at an acute angle and transverse to the body element, and terminating in a rearwardly presented, pointed end.

3. A fastening device formed of a single length of Wire bent into an elongate loop resulting in a bifurcate construction, one of the legs of the device constituting a substantially rectilinear body element, a piercing arm extended from one end thereof and provided with a piercing point at one end of the device, the body element being bent upwardly at itsopposite end to the bight of the loop, to form a gripping portion for application of the fastener, the opposite leg extending substantially in a straight line from the bight, to a point below the body portion, thence upwardly at an angle to constitute a fulcrum near the piercing end of the device, the said last leg continuing from the fulcrum into an arch portion straddling the piercing arm and acutely presented toward the piercing point, the arch being formed near the free end of the last said leg, and presenting a rearwardly directed pointed end, divergently related to the piercing arm.

4. A tag fastener formed of a length of wire bent upon itself to form a substantially closed elongate loop, one leg of the loop constituting a substantially rectilinear piercing arm and terminating in a piercing point formed by one of the free ends of the length of wire, the opposite leg of the loop being bent near its free end to form a guard overlying the piercing arm, the two legs being connected by a bight portion constituting a tag-receiving and gripping element substantially lying in and defining a plane transverse to the axis of the piercing arm, the said guard portion and gripping portion being disposed at opposite obtuse angles to the axis of the piercing arm so that the fastener is of channeled transverse aspect, and the bight or gripping portion being so proportioned and angularly related to the remainder of the fastener that the fastener normally reposes with the gripping portion projected away from the supporting surface.

, 5. A tag fastener formed of a length of wire bent upon itself to form a substantially closed elongate loop and including an intermediate body portion, and an arch at each end of the loop, the fastener being of channeled transverse aspect, one leg portion of the loop constituting a substantially rectilinear piercing arm and terminating in a a piercing point formed by one of the free ends of the length of wire, the opposite leg of the loop being bent near its free end to form one of said arches which overlies the piercing arm at an ob- !tuse angle, the last said leg having another portion bent below the plane of the piercing arm to constitute a fulcrum, the two legs being connected by the other said arch constituting a tag-receiving and gripping portion substantially lying in and defining a plane transverse to the axis of the piercing arm, and at an obtust angle thereto so as to provide a clearance for the finger between the gripping portion and the plane of the piercing arm axis.

6. A tag fastener formed of a length of wire bent upon itself to form a substantially closed elongate loop and including an intermediate body portion, an arch at each end of the loop, the fastener being of channeled transverse aspect, one leg portion of the loop constituting a substantially rectilinear piercing arm and terminating in a piercing point formed by one of the free ends of the length of wire, the opposite leg of the loop being bent near its free end to form one of said arches which overlies the piercing arm at anob tuse angle, the two legs being connected by the other said arch constituting a tag-receiving and gripping portion substantially lying in and defining a plane transverse to the axis of the piercing arm at an obtuse angle thereto so as to provide a clearance for the finger between the gripping portion and the plane of the piercing arm axis, the gripping portion being so proportioned and angularly related to the remainder of the fastener as normally to rest with the grip projected away from the supporting surface.

7. A tag fastener formed of a length of wire bent upon itself to form a substantially closed elongate loop and including an intermediate body portion, an arch at each end of the loop, the fastener being of channeled transverse aspect, one leg portion of the loop constituting a substantially rectilinear piercing arm and terminating in a piercing point formed by one of the free ends of the length of wire, the opposite leg of the loop being bent near its free end to form one of said arches which overlies the piercing arm at an obtuse angle, the last said leg being intermediately bent below the plane of the piercing arm to constitute a fulcrum, the two legs being connected by the other said arch constituting a tag-receiving and gripping portion substantially lying in and defining a plane transverse to the axis of the piercing arm at an obtuse angle thereto so as to provide a clearance for the finger between the gripping portion and the plane of the piercing arm axis, the gripping portion being so propor tioned and angularly related to the remainder of the fastener as normally to rest with the grip projected away from the supporting surface.

8. A tag fastener formed of a length of wire bent upon itself to constitute a substantially closed elongate loop, one leg of the loop constituting a piercing arm and terminating in a piercing point formed by one of the free ends of the length of wire, the opposite leg of the loop being bent near its free end to form a guard overlying the piercing arm, the two legs being connected by a bight portion constituting a tagreceiving and gripping element lying substantially transversely of the length of the fastener, the fastener having an intermediately depressed portion, and said guard portion and gripping portion being oppositely projected obtusely away from said depressed portion, so that the fastener is of channeled transverse aspect and normally reposes on a plane supporting surface with its ends projecting upwardly of such surface and away from the intermediate portion, and the bight or gripping portion bein so proportioned and re lated to the remainder of the fastener as to clear, for gripping purposes, a plane surface supporting the fastener.

9. A tag fastener adapted for use with fabric shipping containers, the fastener being formed of a length of wire bent upon itself to constitute a substantially closed elongate loop, one leg of the tially transversely of the length of the fastener, the fastener having an intermediately depressed portion, and said guard portion and gripping portion being oppositely projected obtusely away from said depressed portion, so that the fastener is of channeled transverse aspect and normally reposes on a plane supporting surface with its lated to the remainder of the fastener as to clear, for gripping purposes, a plane surface supporting 5 the fastener.

RAYMOND E. BEEGLE. 

